Exploring risk factors related to violence reported by migrants whose external migration was characterized as "irregular*"

Data collected from approximately 5,000 household interviews and over 6,000 web survey responses across the three countries conducted as part of a joint initiative between WFP and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to better understand the factors in migration.

It is key to remember that this survey was conducted on migrants after their journey which means that the data we are seeing is likely subject to Survivor Bias.

Migrants reporting violence

Rate of reported violence: 25.38%

Female migrants in the data were less likely to report violence.

Female migrants

Rate of reported violence: 20.24%

All others

Rate of reported violence: 27.23%

“Me and some other women with our children were offered a ride by two young men, but it was a trap. They took us to the fields and pulled out a gun. Thank god we were able to fight back against them, but many other women are not as lucky” - Pilar, El Salvador, (February 2020)

People migrating because of deterioration of livelihoods due to natural hazards (floods, droughts, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, plagues, etc.) were more likely to experience violence than those migrating for other reasons.

Migrants motivated by deteriorating livelihoods from natural hazards

Rate of reported violence: 41.94%

All others

Rate of reported violence: 24.96%

“ We are doomed here. The desperation, the sadness, that's what makes you migrate." - Magdalena Flores (Honduras 2020)

“ I never wanted to do this.” - Said Ana Hernández, clutching her 11-year-old's hand at a gas station - “The situation is forcing me to. You get to a point where you don't have anything to give them to eat.” (Honduras 2020)

Migrants traveling alone had higher rates of reported violence.

Migrants traveling alone

Rate of reported violence: 33.91%

All others

Rate of reported violence: 23.43%

Migrants traveling in a caravan reported higher rates of violence than migrants traveling with a cayote or through their own method.

Migrants traveling in a caravan

Rate of reported violence: 57.89%

All others

Rate of reported violence: 24.36%

“ I joined the caravan because they said everything would be fine, that we would pass through to the north without problems. They said that together in the caravan we would protect ourselves from the crime in Mexico, that we would share many things, from the idea of reaching the north to being well united.” - Andrea (September 2019)

“ It hasn't been easy to come in the caravan because everything is difficult. Contrary to what I thought, there aren't many facilities, and it takes a lot of effort to come in the caravan. You have to walk a lot, rest little, and even when you rest, you're always taking care of yourself. There's a lack of trust with those you come with because not everyone knows each other. There are many problems, and the journey in the caravan is not safe.” - Alicia (September 2019)

“ In the end, there were so many of us, it was scary. When my wife went to the bathroom, someone touched her inappropriately, but she didn't tell me out of fear until the next day. There was nothing I could do.” - Rodrigo (2020)

Filter by violence type

Any incident of violence Threat/ Intimidation Physical aggression Extortion/ attempted extortion Armed robbery Theft Sexual harassment or assault Kidnapping/ Attempted kidnapping Attemped murder Passed away or missing

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